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Andy Burnham announces a cap on single bus tickets at £2

ended 22. July 2026

Millions of people will save a third on bus travel as Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces a cap on single bus tickets at £2 during his first week in office.

To help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need, passengers will benefit from cheaper fares from 1 January 2027 for the rest of the year– with maximum fares slashed by a third.

The last £2 fare cap saw an estimated 30 million more journeys taken by bus in just 10 months.

Backed by £400 million extra funding, the cap on fares outside of London will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily, breaking down barriers to travel for people struggling with the cost of living, opening up opportunities and boosting local economies.

  • Do you agree with the policy?
  • Are bus prices too expensive outside London?
  • Are you worried about how this and the electricity bill help is funded?

Responses asap.

5 responses from the Newspage community

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Graham NicollVerified
Financial Planner, Chartered FCSI at NCL Wealth Partners
A targeted bus fare cap is easier to justify economically than broad-based subsidies such as energy bill support. If lower fares encourage more people to travel, spend in local shops, visit leisure venues and access employment, part of the cost can be recovered through stronger economic activity, higher tax receipts and increased fare revenue. The previous scheme's increase in passenger numbers suggests there is evidence that lower prices can stimulate demand. Outside London, bus travel can be expensive, particularly in rural areas where people have fewer alternatives. Making public transport more affordable has the potential to improve access to work, education and local services. For individuals buses can be economical, for families, taxis are generally cheaper and take you door to door.
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Riz MalikVerified
Independent Financial Adviser at R3 Wealth
If it gets the labour force more mobile I’m all for it. However, on the list of things this country needs urgently, I don’t think it makes the top 40.
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Rob MansfieldVerified
Independent Financial Advisor at Rootes Wealth Management
It's absolutely neccesary for the government to tackle the cost of living but it's pointless to keep applying sticking plasters without addressing the longer term causes. Without that longer term reform, it's just adding to the national debt and kicking the can down the road.
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Michelle LawsonVerified
Director at Lawson Financial
Of all the problems this country has right now, capping bus fares shouldn’t be a priority. Public transport is dire, dirty and unreliable. It can be a lifeline for the elderly, must who have free or subsidised bus passes, and those in rural areas. Towns and cities struggles due to excessive traffic. Journey times on a bus can be so slow and many people still like the flexibility and reliability of driving.

Andy needs to revisit his list and look at the state of the nation's roads and this would have been a more effective start point where all would benefit.
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Ben PerksVerified
Managing Director at Orchard Financial Advisers
At least now it’ll only cost £2 to be late to work and feel endangered while travelling.